No cheer at Nambour hospital

THIS was supposed to be a romantic and stress-free Christmas for young Crohamhurst couple Charlie and Amanda.

But instead of unwrapping presents and indulging in festive cheer, they spent the holidays in shock after a traumatic experience at Nambour Hospital’s emergency department.

The couple claim Amanda was left sitting helpless in a wheelchair in the hospital corridor for six hours on December 22.

She was vomiting violently, crying and gasping for breath, waiting in vain for a bed after being discharged earlier that day.

The ordeal began when Charlie was called to collect Amanda, who had been receiving treatment in Nambour hospital due to a life-threatening Type One diabetes complication known as diabetic ketoacidos or DKA.

Charlie was told by medical staff that Amanda was well enough to return home but when he arrived his partner was still frail.

They expressed concern over Amanda’s release but were told, “We need the hospital bed. Call an ambulance if her condition deteriorates”.

By the time they drove the 50 minutes to their home, Amanda had begun to vomit violently.

Charlie called an ambulance which was diverted to Maleny Hospital because of overcrowding at Nambour but the Maleny doctors did not have the proper medical resources to cope with Amanda’s condition and sent her back to Nambour.

Charlie said Amanda left the ambulance at Nambour hospital at 3pm but didn’t get a bed until after 9pm.

“The ambulance officers were great and the nurses at the hospital were too,” he said.

“But unfortunately, Nambour is understaffed and under-resourced.

“I was so angered by the ordeal I rang the health minister’s office to complain.

“Issues regarding patient care are taken very seriously by Queensland Health and the Nambour General Hospital is investigating this patient’s concerns,” he said.

“Hospital staff have met with the patient’s partner to discuss her treatment and all parties have agreed to meet again in early January to resolve any issues.”

JOIN the Daily’s fight to have the new Kawana hospital up and running by 2014:

Email premier Anna Bligh at thepremier@premiers.qld.gov.au, or sign Kawana MLA Jarrod Bleijie’s petition calling for the government to honour its hospital promise at www.parliament.qld.gov. au/view/EPetitions_QLD/